Alachua County, Florida • Homestead exemption guide • reviewed September 8, 2026
Alachua County Homestead Exemption: 2026 Rules, Savings, Filing Steps and Local Contacts
The Alachua County homestead exemption can reduce the taxable value of a Florida home you own and use as your permanent residence.
The application is handled by the Alachua County Property Appraiser, not the Tax Collector.
The normal Florida filing deadline is March 1. If you missed it, Alachua County may require a late-file affidavit before the TRIM / VAB deadline.
Fast answer
Alachua County Homestead Exemption Quick Facts
Use this office for homestead filing, exemptions, assessed value and property records.
Use this office for tax bills, tax payments, discounts, delinquency and receipts.
Florida homestead and many related exemptions must normally be filed by March 1.
The first $25,000 applies to all taxes. The additional non-school portion is adjusted by Florida law.
After the first year, assessed value increases are capped at the lower of 3% or CPI.
Use the VAB if an exemption is denied or you dispute value after the informal review path.
Exemptions and values are handled by the Property Appraiser. Final bills and payments are handled by the Tax Collector after the tax roll is certified.
Local office decoder
Alachua County Offices, Addresses, Phone Numbers and Roles
Alachua County Property Appraiser
Best for: homestead exemption, Save Our Homes, portability, exemptions, values and property records.
Property Appraiser: Ayesha Solomon, CFA
Main office: 515 North Main Street, Suite 200, Gainesville, FL 32601
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, except county holidays.
Phone: 352-374-5230
Email: acpa@acpafl.org
Open Property Appraiser contact pageAlachua Office at the Swick House
Best for: in-person Property Appraiser help in the City of Alachua area.
Address: 15010 NW 142 Terrace, Alachua, FL 32615
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, except county holidays.
Phone: 386-418-6157
Email: acpa@acpafl.org
Check Swick House office detailsAlachua County Tax Collector
Best for: tax bills, tax payments, tax discounts, delinquent taxes and receipts.
Tax Collector: John Power
Property tax contact: 12 SE 1st Street, County Administration Building, Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: 352-374-5236
Open Tax Collector property tax pageAlachua County Value Adjustment Board
Best for: petitions after a value dispute, exemption denial or classification issue.
Clerk of Court: J.K. “Jess” Irby
Hearing location: Family / Civil Justice Center, 201 East University Ave, Gainesville, FL
VAB Clerk phone: 352-374-3605
Open Alachua County VAB pageLocal commissioners and tax-policy contacts
Board of County Commissioners office: 12 SE 1st Street, 2nd Floor, Gainesville, FL 32601.
Main phone: 352-264-6900 • Email: bocc@alachuacounty.us
Commissioners: Mary Alford, Marihelen Wheeler, Anna Prizzia, Ken Cornell and Charles “Chuck” Chestnut IV.
Commissioners do not approve your individual homestead exemption. They are relevant for county budgets, millage, non-ad valorem assessments and public hearings.
Open Alachua County Commission pageMain Property Appraiser office map
Use this map for the Gainesville main office at 515 North Main Street, Suite 200.
Bring your parcel number, Florida ID, residency proof and any exemption-specific documents.
Filing workflow
How to Apply for the Alachua County Homestead Exemption
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Confirm January 1 eligibility.
You must own the property, be a permanent Florida resident and intend the Alachua County home to be your permanent residence on January 1.
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Update your residence documents first.
Your Florida driver license or Florida ID, vehicle registration and voter registration should show the homestead address when applicable.
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Search the parcel record.
Open the Property Appraiser search and confirm the parcel, owner, situs address, tax area and existing exemptions.
Open Alachua property searchAfter opening: search by owner name, location address or parcel number. Open the correct parcel and review parcel summary, owner information, valuation, exemptions, taxable values and tax area. -
Open the homestead e-file page.
Use the Property Appraiser’s official e-file page for online filing.
Open Alachua homestead e-fileAfter opening: choose the Homestead E-File link, enter the requested owner and parcel information, upload residency documents, complete exemption questions and save your confirmation. -
Select the correct exemption types.
Basic homestead is the starting point. Add senior, disability, veteran, portability or deployed military forms only when they apply.
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Submit before the deadline.
File by March 1 when possible. If late, ask the Property Appraiser about the Extenuating Circumstances Affidavit before the TRIM / VAB deadline.
Use the official Property Appraiser process and keep your submission confirmation. Homestead filing should not be confused with paying the November tax bill.
Prepare before filing
Documents and Information Alachua County May Require
The address should be updated to the homestead property before filing.
Needed when applicable and should reflect the current homestead address.
If applicable, it must reflect the property address.
Alachua’s e-file guidance lists proof of utility service with usage at the current address.
Legal U.S. residents who are not U.S. citizens may need immigration documentation.
Use DR-501T when transferring Save Our Homes benefit from a prior Florida homestead.
Required for local-option senior benefits tied to household income.
Florida forms include physician, optometrist and disability documentation paths.
Veteran, combat-related and deployed servicemember benefits require category-specific proof.
Which official form should I look for?
DR-501: Original Application for Homestead and Related Tax Exemptions.
DR-501T: Transfer of Homestead Assessment Difference for portability.
DR-501SC: Household Income Sworn Statement and Return for senior exemption.
DR-416 / DR-416B: Disability certification forms when applicable.
DR-501DV: Veteran age 65 and older combat-related disability discount.
DR-501M: Deployed servicemember exemption form.
Open Alachua County forms pageRules and savings
How the Alachua County Homestead Exemption Saves Money
Florida homestead savings are not one flat dollar refund. They reduce taxable value before millage rates are applied.
The first $25,000 generally applies to all property taxes, including school taxes.
The additional non-school homestead exemption applies above $50,000 of assessed value and is adjusted under current Florida law.
Simple non-official example
A home with $250,000 assessed value may receive the first $25,000 homestead exemption on all tax lines.
It may also receive the additional non-school homestead exemption on the eligible value band.
Estimated savings = exemption amount × millage rate ÷ 1,000.
Open simple savings calculator
First $25,000 estimate: $450.00
Additional non-school estimate: $275.00
Illustrative total: $725.00
School, county, city, library district and special assessments may not all use the same exemption treatment. Always check your parcel record and TRIM notice.
Assessment cap
Save Our Homes Cap and Portability in Alachua County
The Save Our Homes cap is not the same as the homestead exemption amount.
After the first year a home receives homestead, the assessed value generally cannot increase by more than the lower of 3% or CPI each year.
If you move from one Florida homestead to another, you may be able to transfer some or all of the Save Our Homes benefit through portability.
A new homestead is typically assessed at just value first, then the cap applies in later years.
You must establish a new homestead within the allowed Florida portability timeline.
Submit the portability form with your new homestead application.
Extra benefits
Senior, Disability, Veteran, Surviving-Spouse and Military Benefits
Senior citizen exemption
Alachua County lists a local-option senior exemption for homeowners age 65 or older as of January 1.
The applicant must already have homestead and meet the current household income limit.
Long-term senior exemption
Alachua lists a long-term senior path for qualifying owners with homestead, senior status, 25-year permanent residence and value / income limits.
Verify the current limit with the Property Appraiser before filing.
Disability exemption
Disability benefits require official proof, medical certification or other documentation depending on the category.
Do not assume a federal benefit letter automatically completes the county filing.
Disabled veteran benefits
Veterans with qualifying service-connected disability may have different Florida exemption or discount paths.
Alachua’s overview lists 10% or more, totally and permanently disabled, age 65 combat-related and survivor categories.
Deployed servicemember exemption
A servicemember with homestead may qualify for an additional exemption based on qualifying deployment days.
The application is due by March 1 of the year after the qualifying deployment year.
Widow, widower and survivor issues
Some benefits renew, but Alachua notes that a widow must contact the Property Appraiser for certain renewals.
Use the official office before relying on an old tax bill.
Alachua’s page shows an older income-limit example. For 2026 filing, verify the current state-adjusted income limit with the Property Appraiser or Florida DOR before applying.
After filing
How to Check Homestead Status, TRIM Notices and Property Records
After filing, check both your application confirmation and your parcel record.
The TRIM notice is not a tax bill. It shows proposed taxes, values, exemptions, tax authorities and VAB petition deadlines.
Parcel Summary: confirms address, parcel ID, legal description, tax area and homestead status.
Valuation section: shows land, building, market, assessed, exempt and taxable values.
Tax area: helps identify whether county, city, school, library or other taxing authorities apply.
TRIM notice: shows proposed taxes, millage hearing information and petition deadline.
Owner information: does not replace a deed or legal title opinion.
Appeal path
What If Your Alachua County Exemption Is Missing or Your Value Is Too High?
Missing or denied exemption
Start with the Property Appraiser’s exemptions team.
If denied, review the denial notice and the VAB filing deadline.
Late-filed exemption appeals can involve a filing fee and proof of extenuating circumstances.
Value or assessment dispute
Review the market value, assessed value and property characteristics on your parcel record.
Request an informal review with the Property Appraiser before the petition deadline.
If unresolved, file with the Value Adjustment Board by the deadline shown on the TRIM notice.
Good evidence: comparable sales, photos, repair estimates, closing documents, independent appraisal or income information for income-producing property.
Evidence deadline: Alachua VAB guidance says evidence must be provided to the Property Appraiser at least 15 days before the hearing.
Hearing copies: bring copies for the hearing because evidence submitted earlier may not be seen by the magistrate until presented.
Tax bill and payments
When the Tax Collector Becomes the Right Office
The Tax Collector collects taxes after the Property Appraiser prepares values and exemptions for the tax roll.
Alachua County tax bills are normally mailed on or before November 1. The full amount is due by March 31, and taxes become delinquent April 1.
November payment: 4% discount.
December payment: 3% discount.
January payment: 2% discount.
February payment: 1% discount.
March payment: full amount, no discount.
Local taxing authorities
City, School, Library and Special District Differences
A property in Alachua County may be taxed by more than the county government.
Your TRIM notice and parcel record show the exact taxing authorities for your home.
Nearby homes can be inside different city limits, service areas, fire districts or non-ad valorem assessment zones.
Avoid delays
Common Alachua County Homestead Mistakes
Filing with the Tax Collector: the Property Appraiser decides exemptions; the Tax Collector handles the bill.
Waiting until after March 1: late filing can require an Extenuating Circumstances Affidavit.
Using old ID addresses: residency documents should match the Alachua County homestead address.
Confusing market and assessed value: Save Our Homes limits assessed value after the first qualifying year, not the market value estimate.
Ignoring portability: Florida movers may lose savings if DR-501T is not handled correctly.
Missing the senior income rule: senior benefits are local-option and income-limited.
Sending evidence to the wrong office: VAB evidence goes to the Property Appraiser under the VAB evidence rules.
Using property records as legal title proof: appraisal records are not a substitute for recorded deeds or legal advice.
Decision path
What to Do Next
If you bought and moved into a home
Update Florida residency documents, search your parcel, then file homestead through the Property Appraiser.
If March 1 has passed
Ask the Property Appraiser about late filing and the Extenuating Circumstances Affidavit before the TRIM deadline.
If your exemption is missing
Check the parcel record and e-file confirmation, then contact the Property Appraiser at 352-374-5230.
If the tax bill is wrong after approval
Contact the Tax Collector after confirming the exemption and certified values with the Property Appraiser.
If you disagree with market value
Request an informal review and prepare evidence before the VAB deadline on your TRIM notice.
If ownership or deed history is wrong
Review official recorded documents with the Clerk / Recorder and seek legal help if title needs correction.
Important caution
Independent Information, Tax Caution and Property-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content for homeowners.
It is not the official website of Alachua County, the Alachua County Property Appraiser, the Tax Collector, the Clerk, the Value Adjustment Board or the Florida Department of Revenue.
It is not legal advice, tax advice, an official tax bill, an exemption approval or an appeal decision.
Verify forms, deadlines, exemption amounts, office hours, millage rates and filing methods with the responsible government office before acting.
Property records should be used for property-tax, appraisal, ownership-reference and public-record purposes only.
Do not use property-record information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit, insurance or any purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
FAQs
Alachua County Homestead Exemption FAQs
Where do I apply for the Alachua County homestead exemption?
Apply through the Alachua County Property Appraiser’s official e-file homestead page or through the Property Appraiser’s office.
What is the Alachua County homestead exemption deadline?
The normal Florida deadline is March 1. Alachua County late filing may require an Extenuating Circumstances Affidavit before the TRIM / VAB deadline.
How much is the Florida homestead exemption?
The first $25,000 generally applies to all taxes. The additional non-school exemption applies above $50,000 of assessed value and is adjusted under current Florida law.
Who decides whether I qualify?
The Alachua County Property Appraiser determines whether the parcel qualifies for homestead and related exemptions.
Does the Tax Collector approve homestead exemptions?
No. The Tax Collector handles tax bills and payments. The Property Appraiser handles exemptions and values.
What documents should I prepare before filing?
Prepare Florida ID, vehicle tag information when applicable, voter registration when applicable, utility proof, Social Security information and any senior, disability, veteran or portability documents.
When does the Save Our Homes cap start?
The Save Our Homes assessment limitation generally starts after the first year the home receives homestead exemption.
Can I transfer my Save Our Homes benefit to a new Alachua County home?
You may be able to transfer a prior Florida Save Our Homes benefit through portability by filing DR-501T with the new homestead application.
What if my exemption is denied?
Review the denial notice, contact the Property Appraiser and file a petition with the Alachua County Value Adjustment Board by the required deadline if needed.
Does homestead reduce non-ad valorem assessments?
Usually no. Homestead reduces taxable value for ad valorem taxes. Non-ad valorem assessments such as certain fire, solid waste or stormwater charges follow separate rules.
Official resources